Weak side bow

[chindits]

I'm thinking of switching sides. I have two tears in the labrum of my right shoulder and a growing knot in the muscle between my shoulder and bicep on my right arm. Currently acceptable pain when shooting, but at my age it is sure to deteriorate in the next 5 years. I also have a scleral buckle and am far sighted in my right eye and can't see my pins in dim light anymore without a clarifier, which is a no go once hunting season starts in CO. Where as I'm near sighted in my left eye, which is my dominant eye, but I have enough in that eye to pass the driver's license test without glasses. As of now I have no injuries to my left shoulder and arm. I am ambidextrous with a rifle.

Sooo, it has me thinking of getting a left hand entry level bow. I keep bows forever, so this lefty will probably be used til I can't fling arrows anymore. With this in mind, I have started searching for bows with large draw weight adjustments with out using a bow press. This would be a year round practice bow with the real purpose of elk hunting about every other year depending on what happens to the point system here. I currently sport a righty Matthews chill x.

In my initial search it appears that Diamond and Bear bows cater to this criteria.

What other bow companies should I be considering with that big adjustable poundage criteria?

Is this even an acceptable strategy or am I setting myself up for disappointment looking at an entry level bow?

Any other switch hitters out there have any advice on switching to my weak side for archery?

 

[Beendare]

I have a few buddies that went from R to Lefty [primarily due to TP] including Bob Fromme who has the NA slam with a bow.

It will take you apps 3 months-plus or minus- to be up to speed shooting...and considering its your dominant eye...you will probably shoot better.

 

[camelcluch]

I have a 50-60# CRX 35. It has #1 cam right now but will sell it cheap. I used it for rehab but it shoots well.

 

[OR Archer]

Mission Switch. 20-70# of draw weight range. Easy drawing bow. Tunes easy.
This is the bow we will typically recommend for customers who are in your position with bad shoulders.

 

[chindits]

3 months sounds like a good winters project.

Thanks OR on the heads up on that mission bow. That wide draw weight range is what I’m looking for.

 

[5MilesBack]

You have a bunch of shoulder and arm problems with your right arm and you want that to be your "bow arm"? My bow shoulder (right) seems to be a wreck, but I've never done anything to it that would cause it except shoot my left hand bow. I was a hard throwing left-handed pitcher and have never had an issue with my left shoulder even drawing heavy draw weights. All the pain is in my bow shoulder (right).

 

[Brendan]

My right shoulder is a Mess. Multiple failed surgeries. Much easier for me to leave it as my draw arm, and no way I could go to a lefty bow. Something to consider that it might not necessarily be better depending on the injuries.

Can you hold an 8-10 pound weight out like you would with a bow with that arm without any pain?


I'd also consider seeing a soft tissue specialist in your area to help with current issues, I've had that be a big help for certain things...

 

[chindits]

Yea. Just like doing pull-ups, rows, it hurts my right shoulder but not my left. However doing sideway planks and regular planks doesn’t hurt my right shoulder. I really don’t know what you’re getting at. That knot in my right arm and my shoulder doesn’t get worked at all holding my arm straight out. You must have something else.

 

[Brendan]

Yea. Just like doing pull-ups, rows, it hurts my right shoulder but not my left. However doing sideway planks and regular planks doesn’t hurt my right shoulder. I really don’t know what you’re getting at. That knot in my right arm and my shoulder doesn’t get worked at all holding my arm straight out. You must have something else.

All I'm saying is make sure you think it'll be better before investing in a lefty bow - test it if you can. Different for everyone, but for some motions and injuries, there's a lot more strain on the bow arm than the draw arm.

Also - a "knot" is something you could get worked out by a good PT / soft tissue person, regardless if you shoot lefty or righty...

 

[5MilesBack]

Different for everyone, but for some motions and injuries, there's a lot more strain on the bow arm than the draw arm.

I agree with this. Even at 80lbs my draw arm or shoulder doesn't feel much of anything......I draw with mostly back muscles. It's my bow arm shoulder that feels all the pressure and strain at any weight, on the backside of it. The draw is a push/pull motion so both sides get worked out, but as far as shoulders go my draw works my bow arm the most. My draw arm just pulls straight back.

I have seen some guys with some contorted looking draw where their draw elbow is actually pointing "down" somehow while drawing. THAT looks to me like it would tear my draw shoulder apart.